Delivering change in cancer gene testing to benefit many more cancer patients

The aim of the Mainstreaming Cancer Genetics (MCG) programme is to make access to gene testing part of routine cancer patient care. This requires transformational change in many different areas.

This month, BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour announced its ‘Power List 2014 – Game Changers’ which identifies the top female ‘game changers’ in the UK today. At number three was the director of the MCG programme, Professor Nazneen Rahman.

Prof Rahman was included for her team’s work in identifying the genes that cause cancer and developing the tests and processes to translate these for patient benefit, including the ‘mainstream’ testing pathway developed through the MCG programme.

The MCG programme has already delivered significant change within the Royal Marsden, using new technologies and clinical pathways to test more genes in more people. A flexible, patient-centred testing pathway, which brings the test directly to the patient through routine oncology appointments has been developed and piloted. It is now standard practice for ovarian cancer patients in the hospital.

Professor Rahman and the MCG programme are now working hard to make the new tests and processes available across the NHS so that as many cancer patients as possible can benefit.